21 slow cooker recipes built for set-it-and-go days

Slow cooker meals are built for days when dinner needs to handle itself. A few ingredients in the pot can quietly turn into something warm, hearty, and ready hours later. These 21 recipes highlight meals that cook low and slow while the rest of the day moves along. By the time evening rolls around, dinner is already waiting.

A bowl of shredded pot roast with baby potatoes and carrots, garnished with parsley, on a woven placemat.
Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw, served with potato chips on a white plate.
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich features pork slow cooked with barbecue sauce, spices, and broth. The recipe cooks for about 6 to 8 hours in the slow cooker. The pork becomes tender enough to shred easily. The finished sandwiches taste savory, smoky, and slightly sweet.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

A bowl of lentil soup with carrots, tomatoes, herbs, and a spoon, garnished with fresh parsley.
Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup combines lentils, carrots, onions, broth, and spices simmered together. The recipe cooks for about 6 hours in the slow cooker. The lentils soften while the broth develops flavor. The finished soup tastes hearty and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lentil And Carrot Soup

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry

Shredded chicken in a tomato-based sauce served over white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry combines cooked turkey, curry spices, tomatoes, and broth cooked slowly together. The recipe takes about 4 hours in the slow cooker. The sauce thickens as the flavors blend. The finished dish tastes savory with warm spices.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Curry

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Glazed chicken breasts with cranberries, green beans, and stuffing on a white plate, garnished with parsley.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken combines chicken, cranberry sauce, and seasoning cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 4 to 6 hours. The chicken becomes tender as the sauce thickens. The finished dish tastes savory with gentle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Slow Cooker Caramel Pie

A close-up of a creamy pie slice with whipped topping, chocolate curls, and chopped nuts in a crumb crust.
Slow Cooker Caramel Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Caramel Pie combines condensed milk, sugar, and pie filling slowly cooked into a smooth caramel dessert. The recipe cooks for about 2 to 3 hours in the slow cooker. The caramel thickens as it heats. The finished pie tastes sweet, creamy, and rich.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Caramel Pie

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Shredded pot roast with gravy and cranberries on mashed potatoes, with a fork on a white plate.
Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast features beef roast cooked slowly with cranberry sauce, onions, and seasoning. The recipe cooks for about 6 hours. The beef becomes tender as the sauce thickens. The finished roast tastes savory with a sweet-tart note.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes With Smoked Sausage

A bowl of sausage, potatoes, and green beans garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes With Smoked Sausage. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes With Smoked Sausage combines potatoes, sausage, onions, and seasoning cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The potatoes absorb the smoky sausage flavor. The finished dish tastes hearty and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes With Smoked Sausage

Easy 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Rice

A bowl of creamy chicken stew garnished with chopped herbs and served with a spoon.
Easy 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Rice. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Easy 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Rice combines chicken, rice, broth, and simple seasoning cooked together slowly. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours in the slow cooker. The rice absorbs the flavorful broth as it cooks. The finished dish tastes savory and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Rice

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

A plate of roasted chicken and baby potatoes, garnished with herbs and grated cheese, on a red-striped napkin.
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken combines chicken, garlic, parmesan cheese, and cream cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The sauce thickens while the chicken becomes tender. The finished dish tastes rich and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken

Slow Cooker Birria Tacos

Three birria tacos with lime wedges, sliced onions, and dipping sauce on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Birria Tacos feature beef cooked with chilies, spices, and broth until tender enough for shredding. The recipe cooks for about 6 to 8 hours. The beef absorbs the flavorful sauce as it cooks. The finished tacos taste savory with bold spices.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Birria Tacos

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce

A plate of spaghetti topped with chunky meat sauce and garnished with grated cheese and parsley.
Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce combines ground meat, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs cooked slowly into a thick sauce. The recipe cooks for about 6 hours in the slow cooker. The sauce deepens in flavor as it simmers. The finished sauce tastes rich and savory over pasta.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Spaghetti Bolognese Meat Sauce

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Shredded pork with cranberry sauce served over mashed potatoes, garnished with rosemary on a white plate.
Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin combines pork loin, cranberry sauce, and seasoning cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 5 hours. The pork becomes tender as it absorbs the sauce. The finished dish tastes savory with light sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Meatballs topped with melted cheese and chopped parsley in a slow cooker.
Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs combine meatballs, onion soup flavors, and broth cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The sauce thickens as the meatballs cook. The finished dish tastes savory with rich onion flavor.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole

A slice of apple pie with whipped cream on top, served on a white plate with apples in the background.
Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole combines cinnamon rolls, apples, and spices cooked slowly into a sweet breakfast bake. The recipe cooks for about 2 to 3 hours. The cinnamon rolls soften as they absorb the apple mixture. The finished dish tastes sweet and warmly spiced.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole

A plate of crispy roasted potatoes topped with creamy sauce and herbs, on a red checkered napkin.
Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole combines sausage, biscuits, eggs, and gravy cooked together slowly. The recipe cooks for about 3 hours. The biscuits absorb the creamy gravy as they bake. The finished casserole tastes savory and hearty.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage Biscuit Gravy Casserole

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

Golden-brown stuffing topped with chopped herbs, baked until crispy in a black dish.
Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie combines turkey, vegetables, broth, and seasoning cooked slowly into a thick filling. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The vegetables soften while the sauce thickens. The finished dish tastes creamy and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Creamy chicken gnocchi soup with vegetables served in a white bowl, bread and herbs on the side.
Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup combines chicken, gnocchi, vegetables, and creamy broth cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The gnocchi soften as they cook in the broth. The finished soup tastes rich and savory.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

A bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots, celery, herbs, and a spoon inside.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup combines chicken, vegetables, broth, and noodles simmered slowly. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The broth develops flavor as the chicken becomes tender. The finished soup tastes warm and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Braised meat with gravy, fresh cranberries, and herbs served over mashed potatoes on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs feature beef ribs cooked slowly with cranberry sauce and seasoning. The recipe cooks for about 6 hours. The meat becomes tender as the sauce thickens. The finished ribs taste savory with mild tang.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Three BBQ chicken sliders stacked on a white plate, with a red checked cloth and a green glass nearby.
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders combine shredded turkey with cranberry barbecue sauce cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 4 hours. The turkey absorbs the sauce as it cooks. The finished sliders taste savory with gentle sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders

Crock Pot Pork Roast With Potatoes And Carrots

A bowl of shredded pot roast with baby potatoes and carrots, garnished with parsley, on a woven placemat.
Crock Pot Pork Roast With Potatoes And Carrots. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crock Pot Pork Roast With Potatoes And Carrots combines pork roast, potatoes, carrots, and broth cooked slowly together. The recipe cooks for about 6 hours. The vegetables soften while the pork becomes tender. The finished dish tastes hearty and savory.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Roast With Potatoes And Carrots